How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in California

By Ciprian Morariu Published: August 6, 2024

A Career as a Real Estate Appraiser

The job of a property appraiser is in high demand in the real estate world today. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for licensed real estate appraisers will grow by 5 percent.

There are more than 70,000 licensed appraisers in the USA and that is expected to grow by another 5,000 by 2032.

Appraisers enjoy flexible work schedules, high earning potential, and a satisfying career path.

Appraisers provide an objective, unbiased, and fair opinion to protect the financial interests of their clients. They earn about $110k in California, a substantial amount by any standards.

This guide will detail all the aspects of how to become an appraiser in California.

Importance of Real Estate Appraisers in California

Appraisers provide fair estimates of the market value of a real estate property. This helps to determine whether the purchase, sale, or lease prices are justified

Appraisers work with financial institutions, mortgage companies, loan officers, brokers, and consumers. They provide a fair analysis of a property’s market value.

The work of an appraiser includes the following responsibilities

Selling or buying of residential property by individuals
Mortgage financing or credit
Lease agreement negotiations
Insurance against property
Foreclosures
Tax Assessments
Will Estate Planning
Legal Disputes and Divorces
Property redevelopment or demolition

By using specific methods, techniques, and data points, property appraisers conduct on-site and off-site evaluations.

Step-by-step Process: How to Become an Appraiser in California

Step 1: Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of a Real Estate Appraiser

Becoming a real estate appraiser is a job that requires juggling multiple tasks and duties.

Here are some of the common daily duties performed by an appraiser:

Identifying client needs to determine the scope and purpose of the project.
Collecting and organizing photographs, measurements, observational notes, and other data points for assessing the property.
Evaluating and analyzing the property to rate and assess its value, marketability, and use cases.
Conducting an in-depth tour of the property fixtures, materials, amenities, and related structures.
Comparing the findings and observations gathered from property inspections with other comparable properties with similar features or structures.
Interviewing clients and consumers to examine their needs, expectations, and requirements.
Writing detailed reports of the findings and value of the property.
Working with mortgage loan officers, attorneys, brokers, real estate developers, and home inspectors to conduct formal property appraisals.
Maintain compliance with the California Department of Real Estate laws, rules, and regulations.

The next step is to learn about the California real estate appraiser requirements in detail.

Step 2: Meeting the Basic Requirements for an Appraiser License in California

Working as a real estate appraiser is a demanding and knowledge-intensive job and it sure isn’t as easy as most people think.

All aspiring appraisers in California are required to go through compulsory pre-licensing education.

Let us start with the basic statutory requirements to get an appraiser’s license in California.

You must be 18 years of age or older
You must be a legal resident of the United States
You must have a high school degree or GED equivalent

Step 3: Education and Pre-Licensing Courses

If you meet the above requirements, you can proceed to fulfill the California appraiser license education requirements of 150 hours duration. The pre-licensing course selected must be approved by the AQB (Appraisal Qualifications Board).

The coursework must be completed within 5 years of applying for an appraiser’s license.

The 150 hours of pre-licensing coursework consists of the following subjects. These include the following:

Basic Principles of Appraisals - 30 hours
Basic Procedures of Appraisals - 30 hours
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) - 15 hours
Market Analysis for Residential Properties - 15 hours
Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - 15 hours
Sales comparison and Income Approach for Residential properties - 30 hours
Case studies and Report writing - 15 hours

Further, you must go through 4 hours of California-specific laws and regulations and 1 hour of course credits for Bias Elimination and Cultural Competency.

Your path to becoming a successful real estate appraiser in CA begins with completing mandatory education and training.

Step 4: Internship and Practical Experience as an Appraiser Trainee

To get your appraisal license in California, you must obtain some practical experience in this field. The Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) in California requires all applicants to find a sponsoring employer. It might be an appraisal firm, small banks, experienced appraisers, and government lenders.

During these hours, you will learn about the appraisal process, the types of appraisal, and how to conduct research and write reports.

In California, you must complete 2000 hours of hands-on training in 12 months.

You must find a supervisory appraiser to act as your guide or mentor as you complete training. Ensure that you obtain a log copy or a certificate of completion of these training hours. This certificate must be attached to your appraiser’s license application to the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) in California.

Step 5: Passing the State Examination

Clearing the National Appraiser Exam is a mandatory step of the California real estate appraiser requirements.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions which cover both state and national-specific questions.

Note that it is mandatory to take the exam in the presence of a state-approved test center or a proctor. However, you are free to choose the preferred day or date for taking the exam.

Understanding the Cost: How Much Does an Appraisal Cost in California

Factors Influencing Appraisal Cost in California

If you are curious to know how much does an appraisal cost in California, then there are multiple aspects that decide the final cost.

Typically, the size and scale of a property are the most important factors for calculating appraisal costs. Single-family homes are cheaper to appraise as compared to mansions, villas, or multi-family homes.

The location of the property also plays its part in determining how much would an appraisal cost.

Generally, there are four appraisal types - Desktop Appraisal, Drive-by appraisal, In-person appraisal, and hybrid home appraisal. A property appraisal in California can cost anywhere between $600 to $1200.